Arts Governance: Issues and practices in arts governance with an emphasis on nonprofit orchestral organizations

Arts Governance: Issues and practices in arts governance with an emphasis on nonprofit orchestral organizations

Author:

Willson, Nicoleen

Abstract:

Because successful boards of directors are an essential component of successful nonprofit organizations, this paper seeks to explore best practices and pertinent issues relating to boards of directors in the arts, and specifically that of orchestral nonprofit organizations. While arts boards can access and employ general governance practices, this paper highlights issues which impact the way board members, executive leadership, and staff approach and navigate governance in the arts. This paper provides extensive literature review of both general and arts nonprofit governance sources, with a special emphasis on orchestral arts governance. Analysis of literature explores governance models, participants in governance, and the responsibilities and activities of governance participants. Ultimately, successful arts boards should place the organization’s artistic mission at the center of their activities, while creating a collaborative environment in which all constituents and stakeholders can appropriately contribute and participate.

Description:

vii, 75 p. A RESEARCH DOCUMENT
Presented to the Arts and Administration Program
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the degree of
Doctor of Musical Arts,
School of Music and Dance,
University of Oregon,
March 2011